E. coli cases linked to fair now at 16

State health officials now say 16 people are likely infected with E. coli – seven in Cleveland County, five in Gaston County, three in Lincoln County and one case in York County, S.C.

Diane Turbyfill

State health officials now say 16 people are likely infected with E. coli – seven in Cleveland County, five in Gaston County, three in Lincoln County and one case in York County, S.C.

The patients have one thing in common – all went to the Cleveland County Fair between Sept. 26 and Oct. 7.

Health officials say food and petting zoo animals were the two most likely causes of the outbreak.

Cause of outbreak

The state health department hasn’t pinpointed the cause of each of the infections. In two confirmed cases, the strain of bacteria came from animal feces.

The Cleveland County Fair had five vendors permitted to have animals – ranging from ducks and hogs to cows and goats.

The identified strain of the bacteria typically comes from cattle and goats, according to Cleveland County Health Director Dorothea Wyant.

Wyant said her employees have conducted numerous interviews of patients and their families.

“They all went to the fair, but we still can’t find anything in common that they did,” said Wyant. “I hate to say that it was the fair for sure, but the only thing we have to go on is that they all did go to the fair.”

The annual fair, which sees more than 100,000 visitors, had 55 food vendors this year.

Though none of the cases have yet to be traced back to improperly prepared food, Wyant said perhaps it’s time to put more consideration on all components within the fair gates.

Food vendors and animal vendors are overseen by different entities.

The fair was equipped with several hand-washing stations, but maybe there should be more separation between the food area and the petting zoos, Wyant said.

“Whatever we can do to be partners and collaborate with each other can only make the fair better,” she said. ““I can guarantee you that public health will be more on site and more involved.”

Sickness from E. coli

Tracking down which animal might have caused the outbreak would be pointless, according to Wyant.

Many healthy animals carry the bacteria. It’s when a person ingests it that problems arise.

E. coli can be spread by people touching contaminated material, food or animals and then touching their mouths.

Most carriers don’t show symptoms for a few days. Those symptoms can be as mild as diarrhea but can become life-threatening.

Most people get better within five to seven days.

The ages of those infected range from 2 to 51.

Since the outbreak, four patients have been admitted to the children’s hospital in Charlotte.

Young patients

Five-year-old Hannah Roberts has been at Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte since Tuesday. She and her family went to the Cleveland County Fair on Oct. 4.

She’s the only one in the Gastonia family who got sick in the following days.

Her parents, Mike and Tracy Roberts, are both mystified and devastated by what’s happened.

According to Tracy Roberts, her daughter didn’t eat any food or touch any animals at the fair.

Yet, by Sunday night the little girl’s stomach was upset.

By Monday she screamed in pain. And by Tuesday she was admitted to the hospital.

“She’s just pitiful. I’ve never seen her so sick,” Tracy Roberts said.

Medical staff has tried to keep the girl comfortable, treat her symptoms and keep her hydrated and fed.

The Roberts family doesn’t know how long their little girl will be cooped up in the hospital room.

On Thursday night, the Gastonia couple met the parents of a Bessemer City boy who’s also being treated for an E. coli infection.

Jordan McNair, 12, has needed medical assistance to help him breathe and to keep his kidneys functioning since he was admitted to the hospital Oct. 3.

His prognosis has improved, but the John Chavis Middle School student has a long road ahead, according to his family.

Waiting it out

The Roberts family praised the staff at Levine’s for impeccable care for their daughter.

Still, they say no day at the fair is worth what they’ve gone through this week.